Sheet metal locking means



Oct. 6, 1931. R. F. CARPENTER ET'AL 1,826,452

` SHEET METAL LOCKING MEANS Filed May 15. 1929 vwl ATTORNEYS INVENTO RS Patented Oct. 6, 1931 uNlrED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT CARPENTER lAND THOMAS F. ANDERSON, OFCLEVELAND, OIO, ASSGNORS T THE SANYMETAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, AVCORPORATION OF OHIO SHEET METAL LOCKING MEANS aaplipation fuea May 15, 1929.v serial No. 363,318.

' This invention relates to sheet metal locking means, that is, to means for joining or locking together a pair of sheet metal plates. A further object of the invention is to include in the locking strip a body portion adapted to maintain the strip rigid whereby the same may be driven over the'plate edges to effect the joint, and wherebyV the strip and therefore the plates will be reinforced along the joint effected. y

The exact nature of the invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig; 1 represents in elevation as from the 'exposed face, a pair of sheet metal plates arranged in joining relation, with the joint partially effected by the locking strip appearing, and Fig. 2 is a section transverse of the joint as in the plane of the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 1 and 2 are lthe pair of sheet metal plates to be joined, and 3 representis` generally the locking strip by which the joint is effected. The edge portions on the adjacent extremities of the plates are turned back as at 4 forming in section as shown Fig. 2, hooks, which hooks, of course,

` dicated with the bends 5 -of their described turned-back edge portions, in abutting relation.

v According to our invention we provide. locking strip 3 for securing together the plates in this described relatlon. An essential feature of the locking strip is that it has the T-shaped slot indicated at 6 adapted to receive the turned-back edge portions 4 of the plates. To this end we preferably form the locking strip vfrom a strip of sheet'metal having a central body portion, with its edgesY bent toward each other and spaced fr om the body portion'as atv 7 to form therewith the slot 6. Thus the locking strip'is generally of v C section, and may be forced over the turned.-

back edge portions of` the plates 1, 2 in the direction of the joint therebetween to lock the plates together.

The body portion of the locking strip, that driven over the edge portions of the plates to bejoined, the sectlon of the strip being suflicient to withstand hammer blo'ws for the purpose and the body portion having sufficient stiiening ability to maintain the strip rigid while being driven. Likewise, the plates will be reinforced by said strip body portion, along the oint effected by the strip.

It will be observed that Ithe outer fold 8 of the body portion of the strip overhangs the bent edge portions 4 which it overlies, so that the multiplicity of folds of the body portion will not be apparent in the finished joint.

vThus the plates at their joint may present a face interrupted only by an inconspicuous seam' 9 alongthe abutting bends 5 of their turned-back edge portions.

The locking strip 3 will usually be as long as the joint to be effected. However, where clearance limitations are met with, the locking strip may be cut into sections, and the sections separately and successively driven. When it is desired to disjoin the plates the locking strip or strip sections may be removed by sliding from the plates in the direction of the joint. FL

What we claim is:

1. IA locking device for joining the adjacent turned-back edge portions of a pair of sheet metal plates, comprising al lsheet metal strip bent in folds providing a reinforced body portion having a plurality o'f thicknesses of the strip material, with its edges bent towardeach other and spaced from said 'body portion to, form therewith a slot of T-section to receive the turned-back edges of the plates to be joined, whereby to join the platesthe locking strip may vbe driven 'without deformation over said plate edge portions in thel direction of the joint, and the joint will lbe reinforced by said folds.

2. A locking device for joining the adjacent turned-baekvedge portions of a pair of sheet metal plates, comprising -a sheet metal strip bent in folds providing a'body portion of a plurality of thicknesses of the strip ma'- terial, 'with ltsjedgesbent toward each otherand spaced .from said body portion to form Itherewith a slot of T-section to receive the turned-back edges of the plates to be joined, whereby to join the plates the-locking strip may be driven without deformation over said plate edge portions inthe directionof the joint, the outer fold of said body portion overhanging the bent edge portions which it overlies, so that the multiplicity of folds of said body portion will not be apparent in `the nished joint.

` In testimony whereof We hereby aiix our signatures.

ROBERT F. CARPENTER. THOMAS F. ANDERSON.A 

